Liz Cheney wins Wyoming GOP primary in reelection bid

Rep. Liz Cheney glided to victory in the GOP primary for Wyoming’s at-large congressional seat, clearing the way for her election to a third term in the deep-red state.

Cheney, the No. 3 House Republican and highest-ranking woman in GOP leadership, defeated rival Blake Stanley at 8:16 MDT, according to The Associated Press. She will face Democrat Merav Ben-David in November. 

Cheney has quickly risen through the ranks to become the GOP conference chairwoman, but her primary win comes just weeks after she clashed with fellow Republican lawmakers at a closed-door caucus meeting.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and other conservatives criticized Cheney for donating to Massie’s primary opponent and went after her past criticisms of President Trump’s policies as well as her support for Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert.

The Republicans argued Cheney’s response was antagonistic and led others to join the criticism. Some lawmakers told The Hill the heated exchange could hinder Cheney’s further rise in the GOP leadership.

Cheney decided early this year not to run for an open Senate seat in Wyoming and to instead pursue reelection in the House, prompting speculation among GOP colleagues about a potential run for Speaker some day.